Preview and Picks for both MNF games

The Monday Night Football doubleheader for NFL Week 2 features an interconference clash followed by a division duel. I cover the Raiders from Las Vegas and provide select weekly picks including the Week 1 Raiders win as a top 'Dog over the Patriots. Let's provide some Chargers-Raiders coverage and add to our picks, props and parlays from Sunday Week 2 after the Eagles delivered another win over the Chiefs as one of our Week 2 winners. 

NFL Week 2 Monday Night Football Doubleheader

Betting lines and NFL odds from BetOnline and top online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. Point spread on favorites plus game totals. 

- Tampa Bay at Houston (-2.5), 42.5
- Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Las Vegas, 46.5 

Chargers vs Raiders Pick

Key early season AFC West division duel between the Chargers (1-0) and Raiders (1-0), who delivered a top 'Dog winner for us in Week 1 victory over the Patriots. The winner of the Chargers-Raiders MNF contest takes sole possession of first place. 

Coaches

The Chargers-Raiders rivalry extends beyond the players. Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll have been battling each other since they both played pivotal roles in winning college programs at Stanford and USC, where Carroll built a powerhouse and national champion. Then in the NFL, the two rivals were strategizing in San Francisco and Seattle, where Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl and Carroll won a Super Bowl, but also lost in the memorable closing seconds game-deciding play on a goal-line interception by Patriots cornerback to seal a 28-24 Patriots win in 2015. Carroll has nine 10-win seasons in the NFL, including eight with Seattle. Carroll and fellow AFC West coaches Andy Reid (KC) and Sean Payton (DEN) are future Hall of Famers, and Harbaugh will likely join them if he continues his winning ways after a strong first season with the Chargers in 2024. 

Quarterbacks 

Justin Herbert and new Raiders QB Geno Smith were top 'Dogs in Week 1 passing for 318 yards (3 TDs) and 362 yards (1 TD). Smith had a remarkable nine completions of 20+ yards in the Raiders 20-13 win over New England. Herbert shined in a brilliant performance in Brazil and was rewarded with a 27-21 win over the Chiefs to make a statement that Kansas City's division dominance may come to an end this season. 

Fans 

Raider Nation and Monday Night Football fans get a real treat from Las Vegas with one of the biggest games at Allegiant Stadium since the Raiders relocated in 2020. Opening night in front of fans in 2021 saw the Raiders rally for 33-27 overtime win over the favored Ravens. The Chargers have won three of the last four meetings, but the Raiders won a late-season game over the Chargers in the 2021 season to secure a playoff spot on kicker Daniel Carlson's 47-yard field goal in overtime. And in 2023, who could forget the Raiders crushing the Chargers 63-21 in December, as Chargers coach Brandon Staley was fired the next day, opening the door for Harbaugh to return to California and the NFL the next season. Raider Nation is excited about the new personnel and offensive weapons with QB Smith and top draft pick RB Ashton Jeanty and last year's ROY TE Brock Bowers and improved receivers providing more offensive punch. But the defense still has holes, and Harbaugh will call plenthy of passes against suspect Raiders secondary despite a run-first approach. The Raiders should continue pushing the ball downfield as well, setting up more scoring following a near record scoring Week 2 in NFL action (52 PPG). Normally a solid take on the home 'Dog on Monday night, but I picked the Chargers to win the AFC West ahead of the season and expect them to win games like this in an emotionally charged environment. Home 'Dogs did not fare well last season, and off to a 2-10 SU, 4-8 ATS start this season. Lean Chargers and Opinion Over.

Note: Leading online sportsbooks are reporting more bets and money on the Chargers, and even more near 90% on the game total over, which is up to 46.5 from the opener of 44.5. There is even more money on QB Justin Herbert to go over his rushing yards prop of 13.5 yards.

Bet on Monday Night Football at one of these Elite-rated sportsbooks!

Buccaneers vs. Texans Prediction

Bet Labs reports that the Buccaneers are 10-3 ATS as road underdogs with QB Baker Mayfield under center. He'll be tested for a second-straight week on the road from another elite defensive front of the Texans as the Bucs will play a second straight week without All Pro OT Tristan Wirfs and WR Chris Godwin. Mayfield completed just over 50% of his passes at only 5+ yards per pass in a escape win at Atlanta in Week 1. The Texans offense struggled in Week 1 against the Rams solid defense, and their remains concerns about a poorly-rated offensive line. But still prefer Houston to bounce back at home creating more pressure, potential turnovers and committing to more running game on offense even with the Bucs strong interior defense. Quarterback CJ Stroud will surely target WR Nico Collins more this week as the Texans new offensive coordinator also finds his footing creating more protection packagers after Stroud was sacked the second-most times in the league last season. Opinion: Texans 

Six division games headline Week 3 after near record scoring in Week 2 produced an average of 52 points per game. But next Monday night is highlighted by the Lions-Ravens shootout in Baltimore. Shooting for the scoreboard to light up like the lights of Las Vegas as well on the featured Week 2 Monday Night Football game. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper with top of the leaderboard success in NFL pointspread prognosis. Fairway is recognized as one of the sports industry's insightful analysts, and he chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports betting insights.